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Redskins Could Hold Key Injured Players Out Early in Training Camp

RICHMOND — Redskins players reported to training camp on Wednesday at Bon Secours Training Center with the first practices scheduled for Thursday.

But the status of several key players early in camp remains in doubt. The organization was reviewing how they fared on conditioning tests on Wednesday. Rookie wide receiver Josh Doctson (sore left Achilles, foot), running back Keith Marshall (hamstring), tight end Jordan Reed (ankle) and left guard Shawn Lauvao (torn left ankle ligaments, right foot surgery), among others, could be held out early in camp.

“We’re going to go over that. This is the final part of the conditioning test – or part of the rehab deal – and we’re going to go over it now as a staff and then make a final decision here in a couple of hours,” Washington coach Jay Gruden said. “The majority of them look pretty good. We might hold a couple of them back for a few days, but we’ll make that final decision here in an hour or two.”

Inside linebacker Perry Riley, Jr. (broken right foot) is on that list as well. The Redskins have already lost outside linebacker Junior Galette (torn right Achilles tendon) for the season even before the first practice.

“We’re upset obviously more so [Galette] as an individual,” Gruden said. “Just watching him work and getting ready from the previous injury, how hard he was training, the attitude he came into the building with and the excitement that he was going to bring to this football team, only to see it cut short with another Achilles (injury) – devastated’s a good word for him. For this football team, injuries are part of the game. We have to rebound.”

For now, Gruden emphasized that his staff has confidence in second-year pro Preston Smith (8.5 sacks as a rookie) and established star Ryan Kerrigan (9.5 sacks). Young players like Houston Bates and Lynden Trail will also get a chance to push for playing time at outside linebacker.

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